7.29.2010

Measure for Measure was the last class project I worked on in my spring quarter. As it always happens, it coincided with finals for every class and I was assisting on the UCLA production of Cabaret which had strike right at the same time. Needless to say my renderings were done very quickly and in my mind still look unfinished. Now that I'm settled into my new place I want make these designs even better!

Here's a little behind the scenes look at the costumes for Mad Men season 4. Sadly it doesn't show any costumes from the season but Jane Bryant talks about where all the characters are heading and you could definitely see what she's talking about in the first episode. There was such clear character changes particularly with Peggy. She has become more confident and sure of herself and finally has herself a male assistant. Now she's in all brighter colors, big patterns and more womanly shapes. Not to mention she finally got rid of those awful bangs. Go Peggy!

7.27.2010

I spent an embarrassingly large portion of my day (after catching up on last night's True Blood with my neighbors) lounging about the house on Style.com checking out all the Resort 2011 shows that I missed. Dudes, after checking out Alice + Olivia's, I want to dress like this for the rest of the summer. The line is full of urbanized retro glamour, bold colors, head scarves and turbans, funky sunglasses and bold lip color. It's basically a line of everything that I love. I have yet to wear a turban Sunset Boulevard style in my lifetime but now I'm seriously considering hunting one down. I mean, I am living in L.A. after all!

Around the time I moved into my new place I scored two free futons (one off the street, the other from a friend) that were begging for a makeover. The upholstering was super easy as they were essentially big pillows and only required some measuring, machine sewing three sides then hand stitching the fourth.

BTW, Ikea sells upholstery weight fabrics at great prices (I just discovered this last month!). Plus, they have really great big prints. I went to a bunch of fabric stores looking for fabrics, but I ended up loving Ikea's selection over everything else I saw. I went safe and got 7 yards for each futon but ended up only using 6.

The back piece is a foam roll. I covered it by making drawstring edges on each side using cords created from leftover fabric.

While I was waiting for the fabric on the above futon to be cut I talked a bit with two guys who were buying the same fabric. It turns out that they owned an independent record studio and were going to line the studio's walls with this print....Bold move gentlemen, bold move.

7.24.2010

In the first episode of Man Shops Globe Keith Johnson goes to France and finds a antique gorgeous bed frame that Anthro is now reproducing. This may shock you, but I don't have a spare $2,498 to put towards a bed frame (or for furnishing the entire apartment for that matter). However I did buy a bed that's not as whimsical but in a similar style about a month ago at Ikea for $89 so I feel pretty fancy right now.

I just recently discovered Man Shops Globe, a show that follows the buyer-at-large for Anthropologie as he shops around the globe, and it couldn't come at a better timing. Having just moved into my new apartment I've got a lot of decorating and revamping to do. I watched the whole first season in two days while intermittently working on projects. The show is amazing and gives you the creative bug. I dare you to watch it and not immediately have an urge to rearrange your furniture.

Oh, and of course it makes you want to go to Anthropologie.com and ogle thing. These are things I would kill to have around the house.

These wondrous pants are courtesy of Givenchy Resort 2011.The worst part about them is how they sneak up on you. Scrolling down on the image everything looks fine as the red is camouflaging. Only when you look a bit closer does the horror become clear and then you can't look away!